MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — They’re not joining a conference anytime soon.

Regardless of how far Notre Dame goes in the College Football Playoff, the Irish will be remembered as the team that upheld the university’s cherished independent status.

Notre Dame’s exhilarating last-minute 27-24 win against Penn State in the CFP Orange Bowl semifinal not only secured their place in the national championship game but also came with a hefty reward: $20 million.

The Irish are operating with significant financial benefits as they head into the final game of the CFP.

“We’re in a great position now,” stated Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua to YSL News Sports late Thursday evening, following the jubilant celebrations in the Irish locker room. “We have a solid (media rights) agreement with NBC, and the playoff expansion to 12 teams is advantageous for us. We’re optimistic about our future.”

How optimistic? It doesn’t matter whom the Irish face in the Cotton Bowl semifinal—whether Ohio State or Texas—or if they clinch yet another national title; the critical takeaway from this postseason is clear.

Notre Dame has shown it can navigate the complex landscape of college football, managing to retain its NBC broadcasting deal while also succeeding in the College Football Playoff. The changing dynamics of college football had seemingly placed Notre Dame in a tight spot: remain independent and risk revenue losses compared to the Big Ten and SEC or align with a conference and gamble on finding a top coach and effective strategy.

And, of course, reap significant financial rewards.

This week, Penn State coach James Franklin claimed that “everyone should be in a conference,” a pointed remark directed at Notre Dame’s enduring independent status.

Yet, while college football has moved ahead with its expansions and consolidations, leading to the formation of three 16-team conferences and one 18-team conference, Notre Dame remained steadfast.

Now we see the justification for their decision.

The victory over Penn State netted Notre Dame a $6 million profit from the CFP. Here’s a breakdown of the Irish’s overall postseason earnings:

— $4 million for qualifying for the CFP.

— $4 million for reaching the quarterfinals.

— $6 million for advancing to the semifinals.

— $6 million for making it to the final.

With less than a minute remaining, cornerback Christian Gray intercepted an errant pass from Penn State quarterback Drew Allar at the Penn State 42-yard line, setting up the decisive 41-yard field goal by Mitch Jeter, thus marking Notre Dame’s bold statement as a powerful, healthy independent.

And they achieved a substantial financial gain.

Notre Dame’s agreement with NBC is estimated to yield $50 million each year. With the CFP payout of $20 million, their revenue climbs to a remarkable $70 million annually, matching the financial prowess of prominent SEC and Big Ten programs.

Teams in conferences typically share their CFP earnings with their respective leagues, with teams in the SEC and Big Ten expected to earn roughly $70 million each.

If Notre Dame had chosen to join either of these conferences, it would have had to share its NBC deal and CFP revenues—or likely forfeit the NBC contract entirely. Now, the Irish stand firm and proud in the college football arena once more.

As an added bonus, they are just one game away from clinching their first national title since 1988.

“This team is incredibly resilient,” commented Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman. “This place holds a special significance.”

Shortly after the game, as the team celebrated their victory over another top-ranked team in the CFP by singing the Notre Dame fight song, defensive coordinator Al Golden stood outside the locker room, trying to articulate the magnitude of the moment.

This remarkable journey, which appeared bleak back in September following a loss to Northern Illinois at home, now feels destined for greatness. Despite being dominated by Penn State in the first half, the Irish managed to keep the deficit to just seven points.

When Penn State took the lead with two fourth-quarter touchdowns, putting the score at 24-17, the Irish rallied once more. Whether it was quarterback Riley Leonard—who was briefly sidelined due to a check for a concussion—or the previously overlooked wide receiver Jaden Greathouse stepping up, the team found a way forward.

Then there was their defense, continuously making crucial stops, including Gray’s interception that paved the way for the winning drive. The ball nearly slipped from Gray’s grasp as he fell, but he managed to secure it carefully.

Golden adjusted the defensive setup for the interception and implemented varying coverage strategies.

“We hadn’t run that all game,” he mentioned. “I won’t reveal everything, but we needed to keep them on their toes. We required a significant play, so I made the call and felt good about it. When we applied pressure, Christian made an amazing play. We consistently find a way, as we’ve demonstrated throughout this season.”

Now, with one game left, the team is on the verge of making history—these players haven’t faltered in a win-or-go-home scenario since their early-season loss to Northern Illinois. Since Notre Dame is not part of a conference, they don’t compete in a conference championship game that could provide additional endorsement for the CFP selection committee.

Another defeat this season could have jeopardized their CFP qualifications. Instead, the Irish are just one victory away from claiming their first national championship title since triumphing against West Virginia in the 1989 Fiesta Bowl, marking an era before the surge of cable television’s influence on sports and prior to the establishment of the CFP, the Bowl Championship Series, Bowl Coalition, and Bowl Alliance.

We’re returning to a time when postseason decisions were made behind closed doors, where schools, conferences, and bowl committees acted in their own interests. Only after the final games did various news agencies declare a mythical national champion.

A victory over Ohio State or Texas in the national championship game would be the crowning moment of an unbelievable season. However, the most significant achievement came from the Orange Bowl.

“What an incredible journey this has been,” Bevacqua remarked. “We carry with us our legacy, our traditions, and our sense of independence. We believe we have the finest coach in college football.”

Now, they won’t be joining any conference.